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Referendum update 1
Election Resource Centre
March 16, 2013

Slow Start to Referendum Vote

Voting is under way in Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Referendum. The Referendum commenced on the evening of Friday, the 15th of March 2013 with the placement of ballot boxes and stationing of officials at polling stations. Voting started today at 07:00 hours at most stations, with reports of a few stations opening a little later. The process has largely been characterised by low turnout in most provinces across the country, particularly in urban areas. While voting has widely been peaceful and orderly, there are however isolated reports of violence and arrests in certain parts of the country.[1] Disorder in the form of shortage of ballot papers has also been experienced in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland. The voting process is scheduled to run until 19:00 hours, at 9 449 polling stations.

Major highlights

• Peaceful voting process in most areas.
• General low voter turnout especially in urban areas.
• High number of voters being turned away – reasons include presentation of invalid proof of identity, including drivers’ licences, ID numbers on pieces of paper and expired passports.

Notes:

[1] Seven youths clad ZANU-PF party regalia went to Darlyn 1 Primary School Polling Station in Chakari at 1145hrs with the intention to cast their vote. They were turned away by polling officials for wearing party regalia. On their way from the polling station they met John Musa a known MDC-T supporter and assaulted him. Reports indicate that the seven were arrested.

Visit the Election Resource Centre fact sheet

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